Bottle, system and method for sterilizing a liquid

ABSTRACT

A bottle, a system and a method sterilize a liquid. The bottle has an interior to hold the liquid and an ultraviolet light emitting lamp that extends into the interior. A cord may be attached to the bottle so that pulling the cord may power the ultraviolet light emitting lamp and/or charge a battery used to power the ultraviolet light emitting lamp. The bottle may have a status light that indicates that the ultraviolet light emitting lamp may have an amount of power equal to or greater than a threshold value, such as, for example, an amount of power necessary for the ultraviolet light emitting lamp to operate for ninety seconds. The bottle may have a removable lid located opposite to the ultraviolet light emitting lamp.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 12/462,979, filed Aug. 12, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a bottle, a system and amethod for sterilizing a liquid. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to a bottle having an interior to hold the liquid anda UV light that extends into the interior. The UV light may also emitvisible light to indicate functionality of the UV light. A cord may beattached to the bottle so that pulling the cord may power the UV lightand/or charge a battery used to power the UV light.

Water may be contaminated by microorganisms, such as, for example,bacteria, protozoa and viruses. Consuming water contaminated bymicroorganisms may cause cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and/or seriousmedical problems. For example, death may occur due to medical problemscaused by the microorganisms or severe dehydration caused byunavailability of uncontaminated water. Thus, removal of themicroorganisms from the water or rendering the microorganisms inactiveis desirable.

Sterilization of water is generally known. Most water sterilizationsystems are designed to remain stationary. Typically, a pump directswater through the system. However, water sterilization may be needed forareas where power is not available, such as, for example, remotelocations lacking water treatment facilities. Further, a stationarywater sterilization system may not be economically efficient for asparsely populated area. Moreover, during outdoor activities,sterilization of a relatively small volume of water may be desirable.Chemicals, such as, for example, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide or iodine,or portable filters, such as, for example, a charcoal filter or aceramic filter, may improve the quality of a relatively small volume ofwater, but the chemicals and the portable filters are not capable ofremoving the microorganisms or rendering the microorganisms inactive. Inaddition, the chemicals may be unhealthy to ingest.

Ultraviolet light may be used to provide a portable water sterilizationsystem. Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengthsshorter than visible light. Ultraviolet light may enable watersterilization without the use of chemicals or filters. Short rangeultraviolet light (“UV-C”) having a wavelength of 254 nm is mutagenic tobacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. The UV-C light breaksmolecular bonds within the DNA of the microorganisms to produce thyminedimers in the DNA. The thymine dimers kill the microorganism or preventgrowth and reproduction.

However, existing portable water sterilization devices that emit UV-Clight require an external power source that has a limited duration ofuse. The external power source may be required to provide energy to aUV-C light emitting means and a pump to direct the water by the UV-Clight emitting means. Remote locations throughout the world in need ofsterilized water also lack electrical power necessary for existing watersterilization devices. Further, if the portable water sterilizationdevice uses a battery, the device may be inoperable if the batteryexpires until a new battery is obtained or the battery is recharged.

Therefore, known water sterilization systems are stationary and/or use abattery for energy. Moreover, the known water sterilization systems failwithout an external power source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a bottle, a system and amethod for sterilizing a liquid. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to a bottle having an interior to hold the liquid anda UV light that extends into the interior. The UV light may also emitvisible light to indicate functionality of the UV light. A cord may beattached to the bottle so that mechanical energy created by pulling thecord may power the UV light and/or charge a battery used to power the UVlight. The bottle may have a status light that indicates that a timeduration of function of the UV light may be sufficient for the liquid tobe sterilized. The bottle may have a removable lid located at an end ofthe bottle opposite to the UV light.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a bottle forsterilizing a liquid is provided. The bottle has a housing having aninterior that holds the liquid wherein the housing has a top end and abottom end wherein the bottom end is located in a position opposite tothe top end and further wherein the housing has an opening located atthe top end wherein the opening provides access to the interior; a lidthat covers the opening wherein the lid reversibly attaches andde-attaches from the housing; a base connected to the bottom end of thehousing wherein the base is located outside of the interior of thehousing and further wherein the base has a hole; a lamp connected to thebase wherein the lamp extends from the bottom end of the housing withinthe interior of the housing; a bobbin located in the base that rotatesrelative to the base; and a cord having a first end and second endlocated in a position opposite to the first end wherein the second endof the cord is connected to the bobbin and further wherein the cordextends through the hole in the base wherein pulling the first end ofthe cord rotates the bobbin and further wherein rotation of the bobbingenerates energy for the lamp to emit ultraviolet light and visiblelight.

In an embodiment, the bottle has a status light connected to the basewherein the status light indicates if the energy meets a thresholdvalue.

In an embodiment, the bottle has a switch connected to the base whereinmoving the switch from a first position to a second position initiatesemission of the ultraviolet light and the visible light by the lamp.

In an embodiment, the bottle has a handle connected to the first end ofthe cord wherein pulling the handle pulls the first end of the cord torotate the bobbin.

In an embodiment, the bottle has a battery connected to the base and thelamp.

In an embodiment, a volume of the interior of the housing isapproximately one liter.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for sterilizinga liquid for a user is provided. The system has a bottle that has aninterior that holds the liquid wherein the bottle has a first opening; alamp connected to the bottle wherein the lamp extends into the interiorof the bottle from a position located opposite to the first opening; anda crank connected to the bottle that rotates relative to the bottlewherein rotation of the crank generates energy used by the lamp to emitultraviolet light into the interior of the bottle.

In an embodiment, the system has a base that connects the crank to thebottle wherein the base is located in a position opposite to the firstopening and further wherein the base has a width that is approximatelyequal to a width of the housing.

In an embodiment, the system has a lid that covers the first openingwherein the lid has a second opening that provides access to theinterior of the bottle.

In an embodiment, the lamp emits visible light into the interior of thebottle.

In an embodiment, the system has a status light that emits light toindicate if the energy generated by the crank matches or exceeds athreshold value.

In an embodiment, the crank folds from a first orientation into a secondorientation and a length of the crank in the second orientation is lessthan a width of the bottle.

In an embodiment, the system has a switch connected to the bottlewherein the lamp emits the ultraviolet light in response to movement ofthe switch.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for sterilizinga liquid for a user is provided. The method has the steps of placing theliquid in an interior of a bottle through an opening; connecting a lidto the bottle having the liquid wherein the lid covers the opening;pulling a cord connected to the bottle to generate energy; and emittingultraviolet light into the interior of the bottle using the energy.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of emitting visible light intothe interior of the bottle.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of indicating that the energygenerated by the cord exceeds a threshold value.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of recharging a batteryconnected to the bottle using the energy generated by the cord.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of emitting the ultravioletlight from a lamp connected to the lid wherein the lamp extends from thelid through the opening into the interior of the bottle.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of moving a switch connectedto the bottle wherein the ultraviolet light is emitted in response tomovement of the switch.

In an embodiment, the method has the steps of indicating that the energygenerated by the cord exceeds a threshold value; and moving a switchconnected to the bottle wherein emission of the ultraviolet light isresponsive to the user moving the switch.

It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide abottle, a system and a method for sterilizing a liquid.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle, asystem and a method for sterilizing a liquid that are not dependent onan external power source.

A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide abottle, a system and a method for sterilizing a liquid that are easilytransported.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle, asystem and a method for sterilizing a liquid that emits ultravioletlight for a predetermined time period.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle, asystem and a method for sterilizing a liquid that are powered by a pullcord.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle, asystem and a method for sterilizing a liquid that are powered by adynamo.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle, asystem and a method for sterilizing a liquid that use visible light toindicate if a time duration of use of a UV-C lamp may be sufficient forsterilization of the liquid.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle, asystem and a method for sterilizing a liquid that have a crank that mayfold.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle, asystem and a method for sterilizing a liquid that recharge a battery.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle, asystem and a method for sterilizing a liquid that indicate if power wasgenerated to meet a threshold value.

Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a bottle,a system and a method for sterilizing a liquid that shield a user fromUV light.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of a bottle in an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a black box diagram of a system for sterilizing aliquid an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for sterilizing a liquid inan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective side view of a bottle in an embodimentof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally relates to a bottle, a system and amethod for sterilizing a liquid. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to a bottle having an interior to hold the liquid anda UV light that extends into the interior. The UV light may also emitvisible light to indicate functionality of the UV light. A cord may beattached to the bottle so that mechanical energy created by pulling thecord may power the UV light and/or charge a battery used to power the UVlight. The cord may be connected to an internal electrical generatorlocated in the bottle. The bottle may have a status light that indicatesthat the UV light may have an amount of power equal to or greater than athreshold value, such as, for example, an amount of power necessary forthe UV lamp to operate for ninety seconds. The bottle may have aremovable lid located at an end of the bottle opposite to the UV light.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,FIG. 1 illustrates a bottle 10 in an embodiment of the presentinvention. The bottle 10 may have a housing 11 that may have a top end12 and/or a bottom end 13 located in a position opposite to the top end12. The housing 11 may have a first opening 20 located at the top end12. The housing 11 may have a cylindrical shape, and/or the firstopening 20 may be circular. The housing 11 may have an interior 15,and/or the first opening 20 may provide access to the interior 15.

The bottle 10 may have a lid 30 that may connect to the housing 11 tocover and/or seal the first opening 20. For example, the lid 30 mayconnect to the housing 11 with grooves 5 that may be formed in the lid30 and/or that may be connected to the housing 11. The lid 30 mayconnect to the housing 11 using a lanyard 31. The lanyard 30 may beconnected to the housing 11 by a collar 32 that may be connected to thetop end 12 of the housing 11. The lid 30 may have vertical ridges 35that may assist a user in turning the lid 30 to remove the lid 30 fromthe housing 11 to obtain access to the first opening 20. The lid 30 mayhave a second opening 29 that may enable the user to access the firstopening 20 without removing the lid 30 from the housing 11. The lid 30and/or the housing 11 may shield the user from ultraviolet light emittedinto the interior 15 of the housing 11 as discussed in more detailhereafter.

The housing 11 may be manufactured and/or constructed from plastic, suchas, for example, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, low-densitypolyethylene and/or the like. In an embodiment, the housing 11 may nothave bisphenol A. The housing 11 may be translucent and/or partiallyopaque such that the user may view the interior 15 of the housing 11.The housing 11 may be more rigid relative to the lanyard 31, and/or thelanyard 31 may be flexible. The lid 30 may be removed from the opening20 while the lanyard 31 and/or the collar 32 maintain connection of thelid 30 to the housing 11. In an embodiment, the housing 11 and/or thebottle 10 may be resistant to impact and/or staining and/or may bewashed in a standard dishwasher. The present invention is not limited toa specific embodiment of a material of the housing 11 and/or the lanyard31.

A volume of the interior 15 of the housing 11 may be any volume. In anembodiment, the volume of the interior 15 of the housing 11 isapproximately two liters or less. For example, in an embodiment, thevolume of the interior 15 is approximately two liters. In anotherembodiment, the volume of the interior 15 of the housing 11 isapproximately one liter or less. For example, in an embodiment, thevolume of the interior 15 is approximately 750 milliliters. In apreferred embodiment, the volume of the interior 15 of the housing 11 isapproximately one liter. A height 40 and/or a width 41 of the housing 11may be any height and/or any width, respectively. In an embodiment, theheight 40 of the housing 11 is approximately ten inches or less, and/orthe width 41 of the housing is approximately four inches or less. In apreferred embodiment, the height 40 is nine inches and/or the width 41is 3.5 inches. The housing 11 may have markings 42 that may indicate avolume of liquid located in the interior 15 of the housing 11. Thepresent invention is not limited to a specific volume, height or thewidth of the housing 11. The volume, the height 40 and the width 41 maybe any value.

A base 50 may be connected to the bottom end 13 of the housing 11. Thebase 50 may have a cylindrical shape, and/or the base 50 may have awidth 51 that may be approximately equal to the width 41 of the housing11. A height 52 of the base 50 may be any height. In an embodiment, theheight 52 of the base 50 is approximately two inches or less. In apreferred embodiment, the height 52 of the base 50 is 1.5 inches. Thepresent invention is not limited to a specific embodiment of a shape ofthe base 50, a specific width or a specific height. The shape of thebase 50 may be any shape, and the width 51 and the height 52 of the base52 may be any value.

A lamp 55 may extend from the base 50 and/or the bottom end 13 of thehousing 11 into the interior 15 of the housing 11. Alternatively, thelamp 55 may extend from the lid 30 into the interior 15 of the housing11. For example, in an embodiment, the lamp 55 may extend from the lid30 through the first opening 20 into the interior 15 of the housing 11if the lid 30 is connected to the housing 11. The lamp 55 may emitultraviolet light, such as, for example, light having a wavelengthbetween 200 nm and 300 nm. In an preferred embodiment, the wavelength ofthe ultraviolet light may be approximately 254 nm. The volume of theinterior 15 of the housing 11 may enable the liquid in the interior 15to be irradiated by the ultraviolet light. The lamp may be a mercuryvapor lamp, such as, for example, a low-pressure UV lamp, an amalgam UVlamp, a medium-pressure UV lamp, an electrode-powered UV lamp, amicrowave-powered UV lamp and/or the like. The lamp 55 may have a quartzcasing (not shown). The lamp 55 may emit visible light, such as, forexample, light having a wavelength between 380 nm to 750 nm. Forexample, the lamp 55 may have one or more ultraviolet light emittingdiodes and/or one/or more visible light emitting diodes. In anembodiment, the lamp 55 may provide 8,000 uses, and each of the uses isan approximately ninety second time period of ultraviolet lightemission. The present invention is not limited to a specific embodimentof the lamp 55, and the lamp 55 may be any lamp that may emit theultraviolet light and/or the visible light.

The lamp 55 may have a length 56 and/or a width 57. Preferably, thelength 56 may be three inches or less, and/or the width 57 may be aninch or less. In a preferred embodiment, the length 56 is approximately2.5 inches, and/or the width 57 is approximately twelve millimeters. Thepresent invention is not limited to a specific embodiment of the length56 or the width 57.

A crank 60 may be connected to the base 50 such that the crank 60 mayrotate relative to the base 50 and/or the housing 11. The crank 60 maybe an arm, a lever, a handle and/or the like. The crank 60 may have aknob 61 to assist the user in grasping the crank 60. Rotation of thecrank 60 may provide power to the lamp 55 as discussed in more detailhereafter. The crank 60 may fold into a compact orientation such thatthe crank 60 may not extend from the base 50 if the crank 60 has thecompact orientation. For example, the crank 60 may have a hinge that mayenable the crank 60 to fold into the compact orientation. As a furtherexample, the crank 60 in the compact orientation may have a length thatmay be approximately equal to or less than the width 41 of the housing11 and/or the width 51 of the base 11. The present invention is notlimited to a specific embodiment of the crank 60, and the crank 60 maybe any component of the bottle 10 that may be enable user action toprovide power for the lamp 55.

As generally illustrated in FIG. 4, a cord 150 may be connected to thebase 50 such that the cord 150 may extend from the base 50 and/or thehousing 11. For example, the base 50 may have an opening 149 from whichthe cord 150 may extend. The cord 150 may have a first end 151 and/or asecond end 152 located in a position opposite to the first end 151. Ahandle 155 may be connected to the first end 151 of the cord 150 toassist the user in grasping and/or pulling the cord 150. The opening 149may be located between the first end 151 of the cord 150 and the secondend 152 of the cord 150. The handle 155 may have a width 156 that may beany width. In an embodiment, the width 156 of the handle 155 may beapproximately equal to the width 51 of the base 50 so that the handle155 may not extend from the base 50 if the handle 155 and/or the cord150 are not in use. In another embodiment, the width 156 of the handle155 may be less than the width 51 of the base 50 so that the handle 155may not extend from the base 50 if the handle 155 and/or the cord 150are not in use. The present invention is not limited to a specificembodiment of the cord 150 or the handle 151. Further, the presentinvention is not limited to a specific location of the cord 150. FIG. 4depicts the cord 150 extending from a bottom of the base 50, but thecord 150 may extend from any location on the bottle 10 and/or the base50. For example, the cord 150 may extend from a side of the base 50.

The second end 152 of the cord 150 may be connected to a bobbin 160. Thebobbin 160 may be connected to the base 50 and/or the housing 11. Forexample, the bobbin 160 may be located inside of the base 50. The bobbin160 may be, for example, a spindle, a cylinder, a rod and/or the like.The bobbin 160 may rotate relative to the base 50 and/or the housing 11.The cord 150 may wind around the bobbin 160 so that pulling the cord 150may unwind the cord 150 from the bobbin 160 and/or may rotate the bobbin160. The bobbin 160 may have a spring (not shown) that may compressduring unwinding of the cord 150 so that the spring may decompress afterunwinding the cord 150 to rotate the bobbin 160 in an oppositedirection. Rotating the bobbin 160 in the opposite direction may rewindthe cord 150 around the bobbin 160. Pulling the cord 150 and/or rotatingthe bobbin 160 may provide power to the lamp 55 as discussed in moredetail hereafter. The present invention is not limited to a specificembodiment of the bobbin 160.

In an embodiment, an additional cord (not shown) may rewind the cord 150around the bobbin 160. For example, the additional cord may be woundaround the bobbin 160 such that unwinding of the cord 150 may causewinding of the additional cord around the bobbin 160. Unwinding of theadditional cord may cause winding of the cord 150 around the bobbin 160.Thus, the user may alternate pulling the cord 150 and pulling theadditional cord. In an embodiment, the cord 150 and the additional cordmay be formed by one cord. The one cord may have a first end and asecond end, and/or the one cord may be attached to the bobbin 160 at theapproximate midpoint between the first end and the second of the onecord. A first portion of the one cord between the approximate midpointand the first end may form the cord 150, and/or a second portion of theone cord located between the approximate midpoint and the second end mayform the additional cord.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the bottle 10 may have a status light 70that may be connected to the base 50. In an embodiment, the status light70 may be a single light emitting diode. The status light 70 mayindicate if an amount of power generated is equal to or greater than athreshold value. For example, the threshold value may be the amount ofpower necessary for the lamp 55 to emit the ultraviolet light and/or thevisible light for a predetermined time period, such as, for example,ninety seconds. The status light 70 may emit a first color of light ifthe amount of power generated is less than the threshold value, and/orthe status light 70 may emit a second color of light that may be adifferent color than the first color if the amount of power generated isequal to or greater than the threshold value.

For example, the status light 70 may emit red light if the amount ofpower generated is less than the threshold value, and/or the statuslight 70 may emit green light if the amount of power generated is equalto or greater than the threshold value. As a further example, the statuslight 70 may not emit light if the amount of power generated is lessthan the threshold value, and/or the status light 70 may emit light ifthe amount of power generated is equal to or greater than the thresholdvalue.

The bottle 10 may use audio signals to indicate if the amount of powergenerated is equal to or greater than the threshold value. For example,the base 50 may emit a sound if the amount of power generated is equalto or greater than the threshold value. The base 50 may emit the soundafter the rotation of the crank 60 has generated the amount of powernecessary for the lamp 55 to emit the ultraviolet light and/or thevisible light for the predetermined time period.

The bottle 10 may have a switch 75 that may be connected to the base 50.The lamp 55 may emit the ultraviolet light and/or the visible light inresponse to activation of the switch 75, such as, for example, the usermoving the switch 75 from a first position to a second position. In anembodiment, activation of the switch 75 may initiate emission of theultraviolet light and/or the visible light by the lamp 55 if the statuslight 70 indicates that the amount of power generated is equal to orgreater than a threshold value. For example, in an embodiment, the lamp55 may not initiate emission of the ultraviolet light and/or the visiblelight until activation of the switch 75 after the status light 70indicates that the amount of power generated is equal to or greater thanthe threshold value. For example, activation of the switch 75 mayinitiate emission of the ultraviolet light and/or the visible light bythe lamp 55 if the status light 70 emits green light. In an embodiment,the status light 70 may cease emitting light after activation of theswitch 75. The switch 75 may be, for example, a button that may bepressed, a lever that may be moved and/or any means known to one havingordinary skill in the art to initiate emission of the ultraviolet lightand/or the visible light by the lamp 55.

In an embodiment, the bottle 10 may not have the switch 75. For example,the lamp 55 may emit the ultraviolet light and/or the visible lightautomatically in response to determination that the rotation of thecrank 60 generated an amount of power equal to or greater than athreshold value. In an embodiment, the ultraviolet light may be emittedat an intensity of at least fifteen mJ/cm². In another embodiment, theultraviolet light may be emitted at an intensity of at least twentymJ/cm². In a preferred embodiment, the ultraviolet light may be emittedat an intensity of at least twenty-five mJ/cm².

As generally illustrated in FIG. 2, the crank 60, the bobbin 160 and/orthe lamp 55 may be connected to a dynamo 80 that may be located in thebase 50. As known to one having ordinary skill in the art, a dynamo maygenerate current using an armature which rotates within a magneticfield, and a dynamo may have a stationary structure which may providethe magnetic field. Rotation of the crank 60 and/or the bobbin 160 maygenerate power for the lamp 55 using the dynamo 80. For example, thedynamo 80 and/or the armature of the dynamo 80 may be mechanicallycoupled to the bobbin 160 and/or the crank 60. Examples of the cord 150,the bobbin 160 and the dynamo 180 that may be used in the presentinvention are disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Pub. Nos. 2008/0150378,2008/0150493, 2008/0150495, 2008/0157531, 2008/0157536, 2008/0157615,and 2008/0157635 assigned to Potenco, Inc., herein incorporated byreference in their entirety. The present invention is not limited tospecific embodiment of the dynamo 80.

A circuit 90 may be connected to the lamp 55 to control a time period ofemission of the ultraviolet light and/or the visible light by the lamp55. For example, the circuit 90 may end emission of the ultravioletlight and/or the visible light by the lamp 55 if the time period ofemission reaches a predetermined value, such as, for example, ninetyseconds. For example, the circuit 90 may prevent the lamp 55 fromreceiving additional power if the time period of emission matches thepredetermined value. The circuit 90 may automatically end emission ofthe ultraviolet light and/or the visible light by the lamp 55 if thetime period of emission reaches the predetermined value such that userinput may not be needed to end the emission. For example, after the usermoves the switch 75 at a first time to initiate emission, the user maynot need to activate the switch 75 at a second time to end the emission.If the lamp 55 stops emitting the visible light after the time period ofemission reaches the predetermined value, the user may be informed thatthe liquid may be sterilized by the ultraviolet light by viewing thatemission of the visible light ended.

In an embodiment, the bottle 10 may have one or more replaceablebatteries 95 that may be inserted in the base 50 and/or may connect tothe lamp 55. The one or more replaceable batteries 95 may be, forexample, a lithium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, an alkalinebattery and/or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the one or morereplaceable batteries 95 may be four “AA” size batteries as known to onehaving ordinary skill in the art. In an embodiment, the one or morereplaceable batteries 95 may provide power to the lamp 55 if the crank60, the cord 150 and/or the dynamo 80 fail. In an embodiment, the crank60, the cord 150 and/or the dynamo 80 may provide power to the lamp 55if the one or more replaceable batteries 95 fail. The one or morereplaceable batteries may be removed from the base 50, and/or one ormore new replaceable batteries may be inserted into the base 50. The oneor more replaceable batteries 95 may have an output of at least 2300milliamp hours (mAh) to power the lamp 55. The present invention is notlimited to a specific embodiment or a specific quantity of the one ormore replaceable batteries 95.

In an embodiment, the bottle 10 may have one or more rechargeablebatteries 96 that may be located inside the base 50 and/or may connectto the lamp 50. The one or more rechargeable batteries 96 may be, forexample, a lithium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery and/or thelike. The one or more rechargeable batteries 96 may be connected to apower cable 97 that may be connected to an electrical outlet to rechargethe one or more rechargeable batteries 96. The one or more rechargeablebatteries 96 may be recharged by the dynamo 80 and/or the rotation ofthe crank 60 and/or the bobbin 160. In an embodiment, the one or morerechargeable batteries 96 may provide power to the lamp 55 if the crank60, the cord 150 and/or the dynamo 80 fail. In an embodiment, the crank60, the cord 150 and/or the dynamo 80 may provide power to the lamp 55if the one or more rechargeable batteries 96 fail. The one or morerechargeable batteries 96 may have an output of at least milliamp hours(mAh) to power the lamp 55. The present invention is not limited to aspecific embodiment or a specific quantity of the rechargeable battery96.

In an embodiment, the base 50 and/or the housing 11 may be connected toa solar collector 170. The solar collector 170 may be connected to theone or more rechargeable batteries 96, and/or the solar collector 170may recharge the one or more rechargeable batteries 96. The solarcollector 170 may use light energy from the sun to generate electricitythat may be used to recharge the one or more rechargeable batteries 96.The solar collector 170 may have photovoltaic cells (not shown) thatcapture the light energy. The present invention is not limited to aspecific embodiment of the solar collector 170, and the solar collector170 may be any solar collector that uses the light energy to rechargethe one or more rechargeable batteries 96.

FIG. 3 generally illustrates a method 98 for sterilizing a liquid. Asshown at step 99, the user may place the liquid in the bottle 10, suchas, for example, by pouring the liquid into the first opening 20 of thehousing 11. As shown at step 100, the user may connect the lid 30 to thebottle 10 and/or the housing 11. For example, the user may use thegrooves 5 to connect the lid 30 to the housing 11.

As shown at step 101, the user may prepare the crank 60 for rotation,such as, for example, by unfolding the crank 60 from the base 50 usingthe hinge 62 of the crank 60. Alternatively, as shown at step 103, theuser may prepare to pull the cord 150, such as, for example, by graspingthe cord 150 and/or the handle 155. As shown at step 105, the user mayrotate the crank 60 and/or the bobbin 160. For example, the user mayrotate the crank 60 relative to the base 50. Alternatively, the user mayrotate the bobbin 160 by pulling the cord 150 and/or the handle 155. Asshown at step 110, rotation of the crank 60 and/or the bobbin 160 maygenerate power using the dynamo 80. As shown at step 115, in anembodiment having the rechargeable battery 96, the dynamo 80 may providethe power to the rechargeable battery 96. As shown at step 120, thedynamo 80 may provide power to the lamp 55. For example, the dynamo 80may directly provide power to the lamp 55. An indication may be providedthat identifies that an amount of power equal to or greater than thethreshold value was generated, as shown at step 125. For example, thestatus light may 70 indicate that the rotation of the crank 60 generatedan amount of power equal to or greater than the threshold value. Asshown at step 130, the user may activate the switch 75, such as, forexample, by moving the switch 75 from a first position to a secondposition.

As generally shown at step 135, the ultraviolet light and/or the visiblelight may be emitted into the interior 15 of the housing 11 in responseto activation of the switch 75 and/or indication that the rotation ofthe crank 60 generated an amount of power equal to or greater than thethreshold value. For example, the lamp 55 may emit the ultraviolet lightand/or the visible light. As generally shown at step 140, the circuit 90may end emission of the ultraviolet light and/or the visible light ifthe time period of emission reaches the predetermined value, such as,for example, ninety seconds. For example, the circuit 90 mayautomatically end the emission of the ultraviolet light and/or thevisible light if the time period of emission reaches the predeterminedvalue.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages.

1. A bottle for sterilizing a liquid, the bottle comprising: a housinghaving an interior that holds the liquid wherein the housing has a topend and a bottom end wherein the bottom end is located in a positionopposite to the top end and further wherein the housing has an openinglocated at the top end wherein the opening provides access to theinterior; a lid that covers the opening wherein the lid reversiblyattaches and de-attaches from the housing; a base connected to thebottom end of the housing wherein the base is located outside of theinterior of the housing; a lamp connected to the base wherein the lampextends from the base into the interior of the housing; a bobbin locatedin the base that rotates relative to the base wherein rotation of thebobbin generates energy for the lamp to emit ultraviolet light; a statuslight that indicates if the energy generated by the crank matches orexceeds a threshold value; and a switch connected to the base whereinthe lamp emits the ultraviolet light in response to movement of theswitch when the status light indicates that the energy generated by thecrank matches or exceeds the threshold value.
 2. The bottle of claim 1further comprising: a crank connected to the base wherein rotation ofthe crank rotates the bobbin.
 3. The bottle of claim 1 wherein thestatus light is connected to the base.
 4. The bottle of claim 1 whereinthe ultraviolet light has a wavelength of approximately 254 nm.
 5. Thebottle of claim 1 further comprising: a circuit connected to the lampwherein the circuit ends emission of the ultraviolet light and thevisible light if a time period of emission reaches a predeterminedvalue.
 6. The bottle of claim 1 wherein the status light emits a firstcolor of light to indicate that the energy generated by the crank doesnot match or exceed the threshold value and emits a second color oflight to indicate that the energy generated by the crank matches orexceeds the threshold value.
 7. The bottle of claim 1 furthercomprising: a battery positioned within the base and connected to thelamp.
 8. The bottle of claim 1 further comprising: a dynamo to which thebobbin is connected.
 9. The bottle of claim 1 wherein the lamp emitsvisible light and the ultraviolet light in response to movement of theswitch when the status light indicates that the energy generated by thecrank matches or exceeds the threshold value.
 10. An apparatus forsterilizing a liquid in an interior of a bottle, the apparatuscomprising: a lamp that inserts into the interior of the bottle; a baseto which the lamp is connected; and a crank connected to the basewherein the crank rotates relative to the base to generate energy usedby the lamp to emit ultraviolet light.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10wherein the lamp inserts through an opening at one end of the bottleinto the interior of the bottle.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10 furthercomprising: a status light that visually indicates if the energygenerated by the crank matches or exceeds a threshold value.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 10 further comprising: a circuit positioned withinthe base and connected to the lamp wherein the circuit determines when atime period of emission reaches a predetermined value.
 14. The apparatusof claim 10 further comprising: a status light that emits a first colorof light to indicate that the energy generated by the crank does notmatch or exceed a threshold value and emits a second color of light toindicate that the energy generated by the crank matches or exceeds thethreshold value.
 15. A method for sterilizing a liquid in an interior ofa bottle, the method comprising the steps of: placing the liquid in theinterior of the bottle through an opening; connecting the bottle to abase wherein connection of the bottle to the base inserts a lampconnected to the base into the bottle; and rotating a crank connected tothe base to generate energy wherein the lamp uses the energy to emitultraviolet light into the interior of the bottle.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 further comprising the steps of: emitting a first color oflight to indicate that the energy generated by the crank does not matchor exceed a threshold value; and emitting a second color of light toindicate that the energy generated by the crank matches or exceeds thethreshold value.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein connecting thebottle to the base positions the lamp to extend from the base throughthe opening into the interior of the bottle.
 18. The method of claim 15further comprising the step of: visually indicating that the energygenerated by the crank meets or exceeds a threshold value.
 19. Themethod of claim 15 further comprising the step of: determining when atime period of emission of the ultraviolet light reaches a predeterminedvalue.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of:visually indicating that the time period of emission of the ultravioletlight reached the predetermined value.